why are there no left handed second basemen?

Question

i am a lefty and really good a second base. i have played it all of my life but i am going to play on the school team and i will probobly play outfield. how come lefties cant be infielders?

Answer 1

At higher levels you don't see left handed second basemen because of the throw. In order to make a throw you have to completely turn your body around. Think about making a double play, the extra turn to throw slows down your ability to make the play. As you move to higher levels the split seconds it takes to make the turn will allow players to reach base safely. Nothing personal its just not efficient to have a left handed second baseman.

Answer 2

Lefties can be infielders, but it need to be first base. In order to be efficient in covering the field and getting off quick throws to first, a left hander has to turn his body around to throw. That would cause a delay in getting the ball off and you would be giving up too many infield singles at a high level and make it near impossible to turn a double play. Try first base or warm up to the idea of playing outfield.

Answer 3

Throwing with one's right hand is more efficient when the ball needs to move counter-clockwise around the diamond, which is the case with most infield plays. If you're right-handed, you're already facing toward first base when you throw; if you're left-handed, you have to have your back to the infield, and thus most of the action, in order to throw towards first.

Answer 4

Harder and slower at turning double play because they have to turn their whole body around to throw the ball to first. Thats just a common conception in baseball though. Lefties make good 1st baseman